based on the film by John Waters, book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman,and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

It’s 1962 – the ’50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore’s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion – to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, “The Corny Collins Show” and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program’s reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her ‘do?

In 1964 the Beatles came to America and the British Invasion began. In response a second American Revolution occurred. Artists such as Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan paved the way for Neil Diamond, Carole King, Billy Joel, and more. Featuring songs such as “Cecilia,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Tambourine Man,” and “It’s Still Rock N Roll To Me”.

Session III begins in 2 weeks! Enroll you and your child today and immerse yourself into the world of theatre. Allow your child’s creativity to grow by enrolling them in Little Theatre. Let them show their onstage presence by enrolling them in Musical Theatre.

Wanting to try out something new yourself? Enroll in one of our various adult education classes. Pull a hilarious narrative out of thin air with Improvisation or follow the creation process with Behind the Scenes as we take our fourth Mainstage show, Chappati, from page to stage.

FST is dedicated to nurturing the individual growth of each student. Enroll today and get started!

To enroll for Session III,

call Pamela Smith, Education Administrator

at (941) 366-1350.

FST Improv

ALL NEW, EVERY WEEKEND

Clip of the Week – Roller Coaster

From last week’s “Roller Coaster” to other games like “Puppets” and “Telenova”, the cast of FST Improv is ready to make your Saturday more comedic!

Join us every Saturday and see two teams take the stage in Bowne’s Lab to duke it out for the most laughs. Taking audience suggestions, the FST Improv actors will twist and turn them into something hilarious.

Hungry? Come early! Doors open at 6:30.

Full menu & bar available!

Improv is headed in a new direction this season. With the help of Will Luera, the new Director of Improv, FST Improv is expanding with unique new show forms including sketch and stand-up comedy. For more about how improv is expanding across the country, click here to read Matthew Love’s article, “Longform Improv Goes the Distance” from American Theatre.

On Tuesday, January 20 from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm, FST will be hosting a panel discussion on Dancing Lessons – a story of two lonely people embarking on a relationship filled with discoveries – both heartwarming and hilarious.

FST Forums help deepen the audience engagement and public dialogue on the themes of Dancing Lessons, help create and promote genuine dialogue bringing awareness to the topic of Autism, and to take the conversations from FST and give it a continued life with the people in your reach.

Tuesday, January 20 | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Keating Theatre

Admission is free. Reservations are required.

On Wednesday, January 21 from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm BookStore1 launches its winter author luncheon series with an appearance by Kathryn Erskine. The author writes for children – but this is a discussion for the adults in the room. The middle-grade novel that won her the 2010 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature isMockingbird, the story of a 10-year-old girl with Asperger’s who must learn to deal with the world and with family tragedy. Asperger’s is a present theme in FST’s production of Dancing Lessons by Mark St. Germain.